BURNING GLOOM
Amygdala ARGONAUTA
Doom-laden Italians retune themselves to the dark side
Formerly known as My Home On Trees, these Italian stoner/doombringers are wiping the slate clean with a record that’s as hypnotic as it is horrifying. Being the first release under the new moniker, Amygdala doesn’t waste any time in setting the tone. The record explores the many mental disorders that corrupt our minds, utilising Laura Mancini’s soulfully haunting vocals as the perfect vehicle to drive their message home. Packing its fair share of fuzzed-up riffs as well as grooves that would make Tony Iommi blush on top of some cheeky black metal influences on Nightmares, there’s no denying they’ve changed for the bleaker.
Not a complete 180 from their MHOT days, but certainly a stepping stone to a darker dimension.
FOR FANS OF: Sleep, Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard a different story, striking a more harmonious balance between riff-led, Panterastyle power and the aggressive melodies typical of UK metal. The opening one-two, Symptoms Of Betrayal and Splitting Hairs/ Splitting Teeth, showcases the band at their most primal, boasting breakdowns galore and punctuated by shrieking guitars and animalistic drumbeats. In contrast, Tamam Shud is a sweeping, seven-minute opus that is the closest thing to Lamb Of God-meets-Iron Maiden that you’re likely to hear. Centrilia have made a strong debut while still leaving themselves room to evolve even further.
FOR FANS OF: Lamb Of God, In Flames, Sumer record’s vicious first half would never have led you to believe the band were capable of. Chernaa’s ability to meld aggression and melody, all with a singular personality, is what sets them apart from the pack.
FOR FANS OF: Wolves In The Throne Room, Altar Of Plagues, Deafheaven Progressive death metallers hit an existential motherlode
Formerly known as Dam and led by ex-Akercocke member Nathanael Underwood, these self-styled purveyors of cathartic existential outrage have been blazing a trail, on and off, around their native London and beyond for more than two decades. This latest opus ends their 12-year silence between records and it’s a searing and unforgettable assault on the senses. Featuring contributions from Indesinence’s Ilia Rodriguez and Louis Coates from Agonyst, the long-awaited release draws on Death and Carcass influences whilst flirting with blackened atmospheres and the world of prog over nine visceral tracks. Driven by myriad, mind-shattering time changes, the vicious Descendent Of Amalek is a future live favourite.
The pigeonhole-prodding Existential Epiphany Within A Waking Dream boasts some beautiful Spanish guitar playing, but anthemic album highlight In A Language They Understand could be a game-changer.
FOR FANS OF: Carcass, Akercocke, Death
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